Category Archives: Retirees

News and Information for members of the retirement system who are enjoying their retirement

1099-R Tax Forms Available Online

Tax season is here. If you received a distribution of retirement benefits from NYSLRS last year and need to report it as income on your taxes, you don’t have to wait for the mail—1099-R tax forms are available online.

While NYSLRS pensions are not subject to New York State or local income tax, most are subject to federal income tax.

Beneficiaries who received a death benefit and members who took a taxable loan or withdrew their contributions may also be subject to federal income tax.

If NYSLRS is required to report your distribution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we provide a 1099-R tax form to you for filing your taxes.

We distribute 1099-R tax forms annually based on your delivery preference:

Mail: We mail printed 1099-Rs by January 31. (Note: The default delivery preference is mail.)
Email: We make 1099-Rs available in Retirement Online sooner than printed copies are mailed—we will notify you by email in mid-January. (Note: You will not receive a printed 1099-R in the mail.)

Use Retirement Online to Get Your 1099-R

To view, save or print your 1099-R:

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under My Account Summary.
Click Manage My 1099-R Tax Forms button.
Select an option from Year dropdown. (Note: 2025, 2024 and 2023 are currently available online.)
Click Generate button.

If you have one 1099-R, the document will open in a new browser tab. If you have more than one 1099-R, the documents will compile into a zip file and download on to your computer. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click on the zip file to access the documents.

Please check your browser settings and disable pop-up blockers to ensure your 1099-R can be generated. By default, your browser may block pop-ups, which may prevent a new tab from opening or the file from downloading.

If you don’t have an account or for help signing in to an existing account, check out our Retirement Online Tools and Tips , for step-by-step instructions to register, reset your password, unlock your account and more.

Understanding Your 1099-R

Your tax form includes:

The total amount (before taxes and deductions) paid to you for the year indicated on the form.
The taxable portion of your benefit.
The amount of federal income tax withheld for the year indicated on the form and paid to the IRS on your behalf.

For more information, check out our interactive 1099-R guide. It walks you through a sample and offers a short explanation of each box on the form.

Get an Email Notification When 1099-R Tax Forms Are Available Online

You can get your 1099-R online sooner than printed copies are mailed. Update your delivery preference to email and when your 1099-R is available, we’ll send an email notifying you to sign in to Retirement Online.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under My Profile Information.
Click update next to ‘1099-R Tax Form Delivery by.’
Choose Email from dropdown.

Be sure the email address listed in your Retirement Online account is current.

Note: If you choose email as your delivery preference, you will not receive a printed copy in the mail.

Keep Your Pension Safe with Direct Deposit

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Over the last year, NYSLRS has seen an increase in check fraud and the delayed receipt of pension checks sent by mail. That is why we are urging all retirees and beneficiaries who still receive pension checks by mail to enroll in our Direct Deposit program, just as the Social Security Administration requires you to receive that benefit.

Direct deposit is fast, convenient and secure. Your pension payment will be deposited directly into your bank account on the last business day of each month and available to you immediately. No more waiting for a check in the mail or having to travel to the bank to cash it. And you won’t need to worry about your check being lost or stolen.

Use Retirement Online to Sign Up for Direct Deposit

Retirement Online is the fastest and most secure way to sign up for direct deposit.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
From Account Homepage, look under I want to… (located at the top right)
Click Update Direct Deposit link.
Follow steps to add your bank account number and routing number.

If you have a joint account holder on your bank account, you’ll need to print and complete the Electronic Funds Transfer Direct Deposit Enrollment Application (RS6370) and have your joint account holder sign the form. It’s best to do this in advance so you can upload the completed form while signing up in Retirement Online. (However, you can upload the completed form later.)

Other Ways to Sign Up for Direct Deposit

If you don’t have a Retirement Online account, you can download and complete an Electronic Funds Transfer Direct Deposit Enrollment Application (RS6370). However, please be aware, you must attach a voided check or have a bank representative complete Section 3 of the form. Paper forms also take longer to process.

You can submit your completed form online:

Fill out all required fields on our secure contact form.
From the Topic dropdown, select Direct Deposit.
Attach your completed form using the Browse… button.

Or by mail:

NYSLRS
110 State St.
Albany, NY 12244-0001

Keep Your Direct Deposit Information Updated

It’s important to notify NYSLRS as soon as possible if you change financial institutions or accounts. Retirement Online is the fastest and most convenient way to update your bank account information. Your changes will generally be applied to your next month’s pension payment. Our Pension Payment Calendar lists the dates your pension payment will be deposited into your bank account each month.

Use Retirement Online for a Pension or Mortgage Verification Letter

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For certain business transactions, such as applying for a mortgage or housing, you may be asked to provide proof of your NYSLRS pension income or the balance of your NYSLRS account. With Retirement Online, you can get your own verification letter in just a couple quick steps.

If you don’t have an account or for help signing in to an existing account, check out our Retirement Online tools and tips for step-by-step instructions to register, reset your password, unlock your account and more.

Use Retirement Online for a Pension or Mortgage Verification Letter

Pension Income Verification Letter for Retirees

As a retiree, you may need a letter showing proof of your pension income for housing or as part of an application for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Retirement Online is the fastest way to get a pension income verification letter.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Generate Income Verification Letter link.

A confirmation message will appear. Click OK, and your letter will open in a pop-up box, ready for you to print or save.

Mortgage Verification Letter for Members

Members (not yet retired) who are applying for a mortgage may need to show a lender the balance of their member contributions and information about their NYSLRS account.

Retirement Online is the quickest way to get a letter for your mortgage lender.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Generate Mortgage Verification Letter link.

A confirmation message will appear. Click OK, and your letter will open in a pop-up box, ready for you to print or save.

The letter will show your account summary, including the current balance of your contributions, and if you have a loan, the date of your last loan and current loan balance.

Other Ways to Get a Verification Letter

By Phone

You can use our automated phone service to request a verification letter without speaking to a customer service representative.

Call 866-805-0990, then:

Retirees: Press 2, then press 6, then press 5.
Members: Press 2, then press 6, then press 6 again.

Please note, to access the self-service menus, you will be asked to enter the last four digits of your Social Security number and your date of birth. We need this information to verify that you are a NYSLRS member and that the services you request from our automated information line are available to you.

For more information about what you can access or request 24/7, visit the Automated Phone Service page for members or the Automated Phone Service page for retirees.

By Email

You can also request a letter using our secure contact form.

Retirees: From the Topic dropdown, select Income/Pension Verification Letter.
Members: From the Topic dropdown, select Income/Mortgage Verification Letter.

In the Question field, be sure to include any information you need in the letter.

Please note, due to a high volume of email requests, our response time is temporarily more than 5–7 business days.

Direct Deposit Pension Payments

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With direct deposit, your pension payment is deposited directly into your bank account on the last business day of each month. It’s fast, convenient and secure. And if you change banks or open a new account, you can avoid delays or any interruption in receiving your pension payments by using Retirement Online to update your direct deposit information.

Keep Your Direct Deposit Information Updated

It’s important to notify NYSLRS as soon as possible if you change financial institutions or accounts. After you submit changes, we’ll send you a confirmation letter with the effective date of the change.

Important: You should keep your current bank account open until you receive our letter confirming the date we will begin depositing your pension payment into your new account.

Use Retirement Online to Update Your Direct Deposit Information

Retirement Online is the fastest and most convenient way to update your direct deposit information. Your changes will generally be applied to your next month’s pension payment.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Update Direct Deposit link.
Follow steps to update your bank account number and routing number.

If you have a joint account holder on your account, you’ll need to print and complete the Electronic Funds Transfer Direct Deposit Enrollment Application (RS6370) and have your joint account holder sign the form. It’s best to do this in advance, so you can upload the completed form while updating your information in Retirement Online. However, you can upload the completed form later.

Other Ways to Update Your Direct Deposit Information

You can update your direct deposit information by completing an Electronic Funds Transfer Direct Deposit Enrollment Application (RS6370) and submitting it using our secure contact form or by mail. Please note, using a paper form will take longer for the information to reach us, and it may take up to 60 days to apply your changes. Be sure to attach a voided check or have a bank representative complete section three of the form.

If you are updating account numbers but not changing banks, your bank can fax your direct deposit changes to 518-473-5323. A bank representative must include the following information on their letterhead:

Your name;
Your NYSLRS ID or retirement number;
Old and new account numbers and bank routing number; and
A bank representative’s signature.

Note: If your bank faxes your request, you don’t have to update your direct deposit information in Retirement Online or submit a paper application.

Sign Up for Direct Deposit

With direct deposit, your pension payment is deposited directly into your bank account—it’s fast, convenient and secure. You’ll avoid mailing delays, trips to the bank in bad weather and standing in line to cash a check. And you won’t need to worry about your check being lost or stolen.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Update Direct Deposit link.
Follow steps to add your bank account number and routing number.

For More Information

For more information, visit our Direct Deposit page, and check our Pension Payment Calendar for a list of dates pension payments are direct deposited.

Divorce and Your Other NYSLRS Benefits—Part 2

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We’ve written about how divorce may affect your pension. However, divorce can also impact your other retirement benefits.

If your ex-spouse will receive a share of your pension and other retirement benefits, NYSLRS must have an approved Domestic Relations Order (DRO) on file. A DRO is a court order specifying how benefits should be divided. It’s important to complete and file the DRO with NYSLRS well before your retirement date to avoid changes or delays in payments. Questions about the consequences of not filing a DRO on time should be addressed to an attorney.

Death Benefits and Your Beneficiaries

As of July 7, 2008, beneficiary designations for certain death benefits are automatically revoked when a divorce, annulment or judicial separation becomes final.

Ordinary Death Benefit

If you die in active service (before retiring), your beneficiaries may be entitled to an ordinary death benefit.

Accidental Death Benefit

If you die as a result of an on-the-job accident, an accidental death benefit may be payable to certain beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of this benefit are designated by law, and only those beneficiaries may receive this benefit—even if there is a DRO.

Post-Retirement Death Benefit

If you die after retiring, you may be covered by a post-retirement death benefit, which provides a one-time, lump sum payment to your beneficiaries.

Your Beneficiaries

If you are divorced, it is especially important to review your beneficiary designations to ensure your benefits will be distributed according to your wishes and your divorce agreement.

If your ex-spouse is awarded a portion of your death benefits, a DRO will specify how much your ex-spouse will receive and direct you to name your ex-spouse as a beneficiary. You should update your beneficiaries and choose additional beneficiaries for the remainder of any benefits. However, if you do not update your beneficiary designations or if your beneficiary designations conflict with the terms of the DRO, the DRO will take precedence.

Retirement Online is the fastest and most convenient way to view and update your beneficiaries.

Sign in to Retirement Online.
Look under My Account Summary.
Click View and Update My Beneficiaries button.

For more information about death benefit beneficiaries, read our blog post—Your Death Benefit Beneficiaries. Or, if you are retired or planning to retire soon, read Can You Change Your Beneficiary After You Retire?

Loans

Eligible NYSLRS members may take out a NYLSRS loan against their retirement contributions. However, even if you are eligible, a DRO may be written to prohibit you from taking future loans.

If you retire with an outstanding loan balance, your pension will be reduced. The ex-spouse’s share of the pension will also be reduced unless the DRO specifically states the ex-spouse’s share should be calculated without reference to outstanding loans.

Contribution Refunds

Occasionally, NYSLRS may refund a member’s contributions because of a tier reinstatement, membership withdrawal or membership transfer. Some members are eligible to make voluntary contributions and withdraw them as excess contributions. Generally, if a DRO doesn’t mention a contribution refund, the member will receive the full amount.

For More Divorce Information

Visit our Divorce and Your Benefits page for more information, including how divorce can affect your service credit, disability benefits or annual cost-of-living adjustment.

Divorce and Your Pension—Part 1

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In New York State, pensions and retirement benefits earned during the marriage may be marital property and can be divided when a marriage ends. Divorce can affect your pension and other retirement benefits in the following ways:

Your ex-spouse may be entitled to a portion of your pension.
You may be required to name your ex-spouse as the beneficiary of any death benefit.
You may be required to choose a pension payment option that provides a continuing benefit to your ex-spouse when you die.
Your ex-spouse may be entitled to a portion of your cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

How Your Pension Can Be Divided in a Divorce

The most common method for dividing pension benefits is known as the Majauskas Formula, which gets its name from a case decided by the State Court of Appeals. This formula gives your ex-spouse one-half of the portion of your pension earned during the marriage.

How the Majauskas Formula Works

Dividing Your Pension in a Divorce - the Majauskas Formula

Example of the Majauskas Formula

Other Ways to Divide Pension Benefits

The Majauskas formula is not the only way to divide pension benefits. Other ways include using:

A hypothetical retirement benefit. NYSLRS can calculate a hypothetical pension using your final average earnings and service credit as of a specific date and then determine the ex-spouse’s share based on the terms of the divorce.
A flat percentage. Your ex-spouse can receive a percentage of your pension other than the percentage derived from the Majauskas formula.
A flat dollar amount. This option is commonly used if you retired and already receive monthly pension payments.

Formalizing the Division of Your Pension After a Divorce

Once you finalize the terms of your divorce, a judge issues a final judgment of divorce. If your ex-spouse will receive a share of your pension and other retirement benefits, a Domestic Relations Order (DRO) is needed. A DRO is a court order specifying how benefits should be divided.

NYSLRS must have an approved DRO on file to make pension payments to an ex-spouse—we cannot pay an ex-spouse based solely on a judgment of divorce or settlement agreement. It’s important to complete and file the DRO with NYSLRS well before the your retirement date to avoid changes or delays in payments. Questions about the consequences of not filing a DRO on time should be addressed to an attorney.

If your ex-spouse is not awarded a portion of your pension benefits, NYSLRS does not need a DRO.

Drafting and Filing a DRO

Draft a DRO. NYSLRS offers an online DRO template, which was developed with guidance from NYSLRS’ legal counsel. It generates a customized DRO based on the information entered about the terms of the divorce. While its use is not required, DROs prepared using the NYSLRS template receive priority review.

Get Your DRO Approved. A Supreme Court judge must sign the DRO and enter it as an official court document.

Submit Your DRO to NYSLRS. NYSLRS requires a certified copy of the signed DRO as well as proof of divorce, such as a copy of the judgment of divorce. NYSLRS legal staff will review the DRO and determine whether it complies with New York State Retirement and Social Security Law and applicable policies and procedures.

All Parties Notified. NYSLRS will send a letter to all parties notifying them whether the DRO has been accepted or rejected. If the DRO is rejected, the letter will explain why. The DRO must be amended, approved and resubmitted to NYSLRS.

For More Information

For more information about how your pension may be affected and for additional guidance on DROs, visit our Divorce and Your Benefits webpage. Also, read our blog post about how divorce may affect your other NYSLRS benefits.

Retirement Myths—Part 2

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Sometimes a small misunderstanding can have a big impact on your retirement benefits. Here are the facts you should know behind five more retirement myths.

Retirement Myths vs Facts

I don’t need to update my contact information with NYSLRS because my employer already has it.

Your employer does not provide updated member contact information to NYSLRS. You must update your contact information with both your employer and NYSLRS. Retirement Online is the fastest way to review the mailing address, phone number and email we have on file for you and update them, if needed.

I have to wait until I’m close to retirement to estimate my pension benefit.

Understanding your pension and finding out how much you can expect to receive is an important part of retirement planning. Even if you are years away from retiring, you can estimate your pension in minutes using Retirement Online. You can enter the percentage your earnings will increase each year and additional service credit if you plan to purchase service credit for a previous membership, prior employment or military service.

Note: Some members may not be able to estimate their pension using Retirement Online—for example, members who recently transferred to NYSLRS and some Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) members. If you receive a notification that the system cannot generate your estimate, you can request an estimate using our secure contact form (select Estimates from the Topic dropdown).

If I retire with an outstanding loan, my pension payment will be reduced but only until the loan is paid off.

If you retire with an outstanding loan, your pension will be permanently reduced. We do not apply the amount of the reduction toward the outstanding balance. Also, all or part of your outstanding loan balance may be subject to federal income tax. If you retire before age 59½, the IRS may charge an additional 10 percent penalty.

Note: Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) members can repay their NYSLRS loan after they retire. However, you need to pay the full balance of the loan in a one-time lump sum payment. Your pension would then be recalculated to increase your monthly payment going forward, but it would not be retroactive to your date of retirement.

I have to complete a bunch of paper forms and get them notarized to file for retirement and begin receiving my pension.

You can apply for retirement in Retirement Online. It’s faster and more convenient than printing and mailing forms, and there’s nothing to have notarized. And, when you apply online, you can also make changes up to your date of retirement—for example, if you need to change your banking or tax information. Watch our video for more information.

I can change my pension beneficiary after I retire.

That depends. If you choose the Single Life Allowance option, monthly pension payments will stop upon your death and there will be no continuing payments to a beneficiary, even if you die soon after retiring. If you choose a pension payment option that provides a lifetime benefit for a single beneficiary, you cannot change your beneficiary even if they die before you do. However, if you choose a pension payment option that provides a limited benefit (for a certain period of time after retirement), you can change your beneficiary after you retire.

Note: Most retirement plans also provide a post-retirement death benefit, which is a one-time lump sum payment to your beneficiaries. You can change your beneficiaries for this benefit any time.

Use Retirement Online

Retirement Online is the fastest and most convenient way to access your retirement account information and conduct business with NYSLRS. If you don’t have an account or for help signing in to an existing account, check out our Retirement Online tools and tips for step-by-step instructions to register, reset your password, unlock your account and more.

For More Information

Check out Retirement Myths—Part 1 where we debunk five other retirement myths. You can also find answers to the most common questions we receive from members and retirees on our Contact NYSLRS page.

Retirement Myths—Part 1

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The laws governing your NYSLRS retirement benefits can be confusing. Sometimes a small misunderstanding can have a big impact. So, let’s get prepared to make decisions based on facts, not common retirement myths.

Retirement Myths vs Facts

My NYSLRS pension is like a 401(k)-style retirement savings account, and I will get my contributions back when I retire.

Your NYSLRS pension is a defined benefit plan, also known as a traditional pension plan. When you retire, you will receive a monthly pension payment for the rest of your life. Your pension will be calculated using a preset formula based on your earnings and years of service—it will not be based on the individual contributions you paid into the system.

If I work for more than one NYSLRS participating employer at the same time, the service credit from both jobs will count toward my pension benefit.

You can only earn one year of service credit in a 12-month period. If you work part-time for two participating employers, you would receive service credit from both, up to the maximum of one year. However, if you work full-time for one NYSLRS employer and part-time for another, you would only receive one year of service credit.

For full-time employees of a school district, you receive one year of service credit per school year, even if you only work 10 months of the year. So, you won’t receive additional service credit for working over the summer.

NYSLRS administers health insurance coverage for its retirees.

NYSLRS does not administer health insurance programs. We may deduct premiums from a retiree’s monthly pension benefit to pay for health insurance coverage if their former employer instructs us to do so, but we can’t answer questions about coverage or changes in premium amounts.

If you are planning to retire soon, your employer’s human resources or personnel office should be able to answer your questions about post-retirement health insurance coverage. If you retired from a New York State agency, the New York State Department of Civil Service administers the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). If you retired from a county, city, town, village or school district, contact your former employer.

I can take out a NYSLRS loan after I retire.

To be eligible for a NYSLRS loan, you must be a NYSLRS member and actively working for a NYSLRS participating employer. Once you retire, you cannot take out a NYSLRS loan.

NYSLRS will automatically start paying my pension as soon as I’m eligible.

Your pension is not automatic. To begin collecting your pension, you must meet the minimum age or service requirements established by your retirement plan and apply for retirement 15 to 90 days before your chosen date of retirement.

Use Retirement Online

For More Information

Check out Retirement Myths—Part 2 where we debunk five other retirement myths. You can also find answers to the most common questions we receive from members and retirees on our Contact NYSLRS page.

10 Things Retirees Should Know

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NYSLRS is one of the largest retirement systems in the world, administering benefits for more than 1.2 million members, retirees and beneficiaries. Take a look inside NYSLRS and brush up on your NYSLRS knowledge—here are 10 things retirees should know.

Not retired yet? Check out 10 Things Members Should Know.

1. Retirement Online is the Fastest, Most Convenient Way to Do Business With NYSLRS

Retirement Online is the fastest way to manage your NYSLRS account. Skip printing forms, having them notarized and sending them through the mail. When you submit your requests through Retirement Online, NYSLRS has them immediately, and your changes will be completed more quickly. It’s convenient and secure. Check out what retirees can do in Retirement Online.

2. Your Pension Benefits Are Secure

The New York State Common Retirement Fund holds and invests the assets of NYSLRS on behalf of members, retirees and their beneficiaries and continues to be one of the best-funded and best-managed public pension funds in the nation. Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is the administrator of NYSLRS and trustee of the Common Retirement Fund.

3. It’s Important to Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

Wherever retirement takes you, it’s important to keep NYSLRS informed of any changes to your contact information. That way, you’ll be sure to receive the tax information, news, correspondence and statements we send you. If you receive correspondence and statements by mail, it’s vital you review the address we have on file for you. Changing your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not mean your records will automatically be updated with NYSLRS. To ensure you continue receiving mail from NYSLRS, you must submit a change of address directly to us. This is especially important if you receive your pension payment as a paper check.

4. ‘Go Green’ and Get Your Important Documents Sooner

You can help us ‘go green’ and reduce paper waste by choosing email as your delivery preference for correspondence and other important documents, such as your 1099-R tax form and Retiree Annual Statement. When you have something to view, we’ll send an email notifying you to sign in to Retirement Online. And it will save time—you’ll get access to your important documents sooner than printed copies are mailed. Learn how to get email notifications for important documents.

5. There May Be an Earnings Limit for Working After Retirement

As a NYSLRS retiree, you can work and still receive your pension. However, there may be a limit on how much you can earn each year without affecting your NYSLRS pension. An earnings limit of $35,000 generally applies to NYSLRS retirees who are under age 65 and returning to work for a public employer while receiving a service retirement benefit. However, the earnings limit for retirees employed by school districts or Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is suspended through June 30, 2027.

6. You Should Review Your Beneficiaries Periodically

Most NYSLRS retirement plans provide a post-retirement death benefit for beneficiaries of eligible retirees who die after retiring directly from service or within one year of leaving public employment. It’s a good idea to review your beneficiaries from time to time to make sure they reflect your current wishes. The beneficiary you named before might not be the one you would choose today. You should also review the contact information for your named beneficiaries so we can find them when needed and share this information about reporting a retiree’s death to NYSLRS with your survivors.

7. Adjust Your Tax Withholding Online

Most NYSLRS pensions are subject to federal income tax. If your last federal tax bill or return was not what you expected, Retirement Online is the fastest way to update your federal tax withholding. Changes submitted by the middle of the month will generally be applied to that month’s payment.

8. View Your Pay Stubs for Insight Into Your Monthly Pension Payments

Your pension pay stub gives you valuable insight into your monthly pension payment, including a breakdown of credits and deductions for health insurance, union dues, tax withholding or disbursements under a domestic relations order. Throughout the year, you can access your pay stubs online and see year-to-date totals.

9. Update Your Direct Deposit Information Online if Changing Banks or Accounts

Changing financial institutions or accounts will affect whether you receive your monthly pension payment. It’s important to update your direct deposit information with NYSLRS as soon as possible—and you can update your information quickly and conveniently with Retirement Online. Changes submitted online will generally be applied to your next month’s pension payment. Not using direct deposit yet? Don’t wait to receive a check in the mail—direct deposit is fast, convenient and secure. Sign up for direct deposit now and get your money sooner.

10. Generate a Pension Income Verification Letter Quickly and Easily Online

You may need proof of your retirement income for housing or as part of an application for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). With Retirement Online, you can quickly and easily generate a pension income verification letter any time you need one.

What Retirees Can Do in Retirement Online

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Retirement Online is the fastest way to manage your NYSLRS account. Skip printing forms, having them notarized and sending them through the mail. When you submit your requests online, NYSLRS has them immediately, and your changes will be completed more quickly. It’s convenient and secure. Also, your important documents will be available online, sooner than printed copies are mailed.

What Retirees Can Do in Retirement Online

View Your Account Information

On your Account Homepage, you can find your:

Retirement date;
Monthly benefit amount after credits and deductions;
Payment method; and
The date of the last payment you received.

Update Your Contact Information

It’s important we have your current contact information so you receive the tax information, news, correspondence and statements we send you.

To update your contact information:

Look under My Profile Information.
Click update next to email address, mailing address or phone number.

You can even schedule an address change, so you’ll get NYSLRS mail at your seasonal home without interruption. Select or enter the effective date in the Change As Of field.

Get Email Notifications for Important Documents

You can help us ‘go green’ and reduce paper waste by choosing email as your delivery preference for correspondence and other important documents. When you have something to view, we’ll send an email notifying you to sign in to Retirement Online. And it will save time—you’ll get access to your important documents sooner than printed copies are mailed.

To update your delivery preferences:

Look under My Profile Information.
Click update next to ‘Contact by,’ ‘1099-R Tax Form Delivery by’ or ‘Retiree Annual Statement by.’
Choose Email from dropdown.

Be sure the email address listed in your profile is current.

If you choose email as your delivery preference, you will not receive a printed copy in the mail.

View Your Pension Pay Stubs

Your pension pay stub gives you valuable insight into your monthly pension payment, including a breakdown of credits and deductions. Throughout the year, you can access your pay stubs online to see year-to-date totals.

To view your pension pay stubs:

Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click View Pension Check link.
Select date of the pension payment to view.

Change Your Direct Deposit Information

Whether you’ve switched banks or need to move your deposits to a different account, you can make those changes quickly with Retirement Online. Your changes will generally be applied to your next month’s pension payments.

To update your direct deposit information:

Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Update Direct Deposit link.
Follow steps to update your bank account number and routing number.

Not using direct deposit yet? Don’t wait to receive a check in the mail—direct deposit is fast, convenient and secure. Sign up for direct deposit now and get your money sooner.

Adjust Your Federal Tax Withholding

Retirement Online is the fastest and most convenient way to complete the W-4P Form and update your federal tax withholding for your NYSLRS pension.

Look under My Account Summary.
Click Update My W-4P Tax Information button.
Follow steps to update your withholding.

If you update your federal tax withholding online by the middle of the month, your changes will generally be applied to that month’s pension payment.

For more information, including instructions for updating your withholding, visit our Taxes and Your Pension page.

Get Your 1099-R Tax Form

While your NYSLRS pension is not subject to New York State or local income tax, most NYSLRS pensions are subject to federal income tax. Each year, we provide a 1099-R tax form with the information you need to file your taxes. We mail printed 1099-Rs by January 31. However, we make 1099-Rs available in Retirement Online sooner than printed copies are mailed.

To view, save or print your 1099-R tax form:

Look under My Account Summary.
Click Manage My 1099-R Tax Forms button.
Select an option from Year dropdown.
Click Generate button.

Generate a Pension Income Verification Letter

Some organizations may ask for a letter verifying your pension income—maybe for housing or as part of an application for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Retirement Online is the fastest way to get a pension income verification letter.

Look under I want to… (located at the top right).
Click Generate an Income Verification Letter link.

Manage Your Beneficiaries

It’s a good idea to review your beneficiaries from time to time to make sure they reflect your current wishes. The beneficiary you named before might not be the one you would choose today. You should also review the contact information for your named beneficiaries so we can find them when needed.

To add or remove beneficiaries or update their contact information:

Look under My Account Summary.
Click View and Update My Beneficiaries button.

Get Your Retiree Annual Statement

Your Retiree Annual Statement provides a year-end summary of your pension payments for the last calendar year, including the total amount you received and a breakdown of credits, deductions and taxes. We mail printed Retiree Annual Statements by the end of February. However, we make Statements available in Retirement Online sooner than printed copies are mailed.

To view, save or print your Statement:

Look under My Account Summary.
Click View My Retiree Annual Statement button.
If Retirement System is blank, click Look Up icon and select ERS or PFRS from dialog box.
Click Look Up icon next to Calendar Year field and select an option from dialog box.
Click Generate Statement button.

The document will download on to your computer.